Its time for a new helmet so I thought I'd ask for some feedback on choosing a helmet suitable for touring (perhaps more than others)I'm thinking light color/colors (maybe white/silver) and lightish weight?My last helmet has been with me for longer than I can remember but I've been neglectful and I've ignored for a while that its time to say goodbye.I'm a tightwad and will run gear into the ground before disposing of it. This isnt a good policy with safety gear so I'm going to bite the bullet and fork out for a new one.A quick peruse showed I'm spoilt for choice. I nearly bought one a while ago, a Limar from memory but in the end I couldn't part with my dosh for a helmet that was far from appeasing to my eye.A very cursory look on bikeexchange brought up a Bell Solarhttp://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bike_acc ... /100350158which looked reasonable bang for buck.However I'm well out of touch on what are good products so I'm asking for some opinions.I dont mind spending more if I feel I'm getting good bang for buck.I think my current helmet is a Netti and possibly a mountain bike design(?) as it has a peak/visor and I've noticed the guys whizzing aroundon the racing bikes dont seem to have them.A helmet without a visor would be good for a product like this:http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bike_acc ... /100350899which I thought "might" be good to have for riding in the hot Aussie sun.Thoughts, opinions and drunken ramblings welcome

I have never thought of getting a "touring" bike helmet. I just use my Bell Sweep with a cycling cap underneath it to keep the rain off my glasses/sun off my face a bit. Seems to work fine for me.

Andrew

Not so much a touring helmet as a helmet more suitable for touring.A friend who visited me here in Aus from NZ spent a lot of time whingeing about his black helmet and the heat (last summer).I hadnt thought about it before his comments but decided not to buy a dark helmet and to get one with ample vents.Realising that there might be other considerations worth thinking about I've opened this thread in the hopethat should there might be other "obvious" no no's that I might otherwise overlook someone more clever than me might kindly point them out..If there isnt, well more power to me for not overlooking them but hey, why not ask the people who tour?I'm putting it out there having remembered the dark color thing having been out for a ride the other dayand getting slightly crispy because I hadnt considered how hot it was.I might as well ask about decent sunscreen lotions whilst I'm here.

rifraf wrote:I hadnt thought about it before his comments but decided not to buy a dark helmet and to get one with ample vents.

Okay. Mine is a very faded red with plenty of vents and it is relatively light ... I guess that it while it works for me, even on days where the temp has hit 50 C on the bike I will not change it. MInd you it was not cheap, over $200 IIRC.

Andrew

Last edited by Aushiker on Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I only have one head, so I'm wearing a Giro Atmos - very light and very well ventilated. Before that I had a Met Stradivarius. If you have two heads an "el cheapo" helmet may do.

I really don't think the colour makes much difference, since there is around half an inch of insulating material between the outer shell and your head. My last helmet was black and the current one is titanium - I'm not sure there is any noticeable difference. I do always wear a cap under my helmet, it helps to keep sweat and sun out of my eyes. Visors are for mountain bikers, and have no credibility for road riders.

Don't modify a helmet, or buy one from overseas - they are not approved for use in Australia. So what? - some might say. Well, if you are involved in an accident and want to make a damages claim for a head injury, and you're not wearing an approved helmet - good luck, the lawyers will love it...

Last edited by RonK on Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

But what if I'm riding a mountain bike on the road?!?!?!!! What then! Will the universe implode in the visor/cap/mountain/road paradox? Is it like a piece of buttered toast strapped to the back of a cat?

Sorry for derailing your thread, rifraf

Max

One of the best things about bicycle commuting is that it can mitigate the displeasure of having to go to work. - BikeSnobNYCCycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy

Max wrote:But what if I'm riding a mountain bike on the road?!?!?!!! What then! Will the universe implode in the visor/cap/mountain/road paradox? Is it like a piece of buttered toast strapped to the back of a cat?

Max wrote:But what if I'm riding a mountain bike on the road?!?!?!!! What then! Will the universe implode in the visor/cap/mountain/road paradox? Is it like a piece of buttered toast strapped to the back of a cat?

Well - if you are riding an MTB on the road, does that make you a road cyclist? Probably not. When I'm on my MTB, I wear an MTB helmet (with visor), regardless of where I'm riding.

But you must realise that Rifraf has for a long time been isolated by living a freezing shed in the black blocks of darkest NZ, where he has been constrained to use a blast furnace for cooking, and to cycling with toe-clips and straps, so poor fellow, he needs guidance to bring him up to date with modern cycling technology and custom. And also he needs leadership to show him how to properly max out his credit card. At least he is suitably located in Mudgee where his drinking problem is now properly taken care of - there is plenty of McGuigan Black Label Shiraz to drink, so no problem.

When your head hits the pavement, does it care whether you are touring, road training, shopping, or whatever. I went into a bike shop expecting to pay $200 to $250 and saw an Adura helmet for $49. I asked the salesman why I should spend more, explaining frankly that I had come prepared with $250. His honest response was "no reason at all". The helmet comes with a visor, which is totally uncool for an over active ego that fancies itself as not too fast, but pretty to watch. The visor was easily removed, and the $49 Adura helmet blends in as just another in the bunch.

RonK wrote:But you must realise that Rifraf has for a long time been isolated by living a freezing shed in the black blocks of darkest NZ, where he has been constrained to use a blast furnace for cooking, and to cycling with toe-clips and straps, so poor fellow, he needs guidance to bring him up to date with modern cycling technology and custom. And also he needs leadership to show him how to properly max out his credit card. At least he is suitably located in Mudgee where his drinking problem is now properly taken care of - there is plenty of McGuigan Black Label Shiraz to drink, so no problem.

Get the Giro, Rifraf.

I'll get a Giro Ron"

I had a few parcels arrive today from the wiggles and another English store.My long awaited suspension parts for front fork have arrived and I think I can now fully recondition it.I have all the moving/wearing parts.I also got in as a spare a rear brass pivot bearing set for the rear frame (swingarm?).A spare bottom bracket and rear derailluer are now in my "just in case" parts box.My Ortlieb yellow and black handlebar bag arrived - I ended up going with the plus.My Ergon grips/bar ends arrived and are now on and will be test run shortly.A Ortlieb 10 litre water bag.

As most of my purchases came under advisement of some sort from here, yes indeed of "modern cycling technology and custom",my card is maxed out and alas I am now indeed a "poor fellow".Think I"ve just enough left for tomorrows McGuigan.CheersAidan

Last edited by rifraf on Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

rifraf wrote:As most of my purchases came under advisement of some sort from here, yes indeed of "modern cycling technology and custom",my card is maxed out and alas I am now indeed a "poor fellow". Think I"ve just enough left for tomorrows McGuigan.

Now we just have to wean you off that old roaring blast furnace and get you onto a lightweight stove that won't rip the bottom out of those shiny new panniers!

rifraf wrote:As most of my purchases came under advisement of some sort from here, yes indeed of "modern cycling technology and custom",my card is maxed out and alas I am now indeed a "poor fellow". Think I"ve just enough left for tomorrows McGuigan.

Now we just have to wean you off that old roaring blast furnace and get you onto a lightweight stove that won't rip the bottom out of those shiny new panniers!

I bought the hard anodised Trangia for moments (tours) of weakness.Funny enough the wiggles first sent the wrong one (no coating on it).After me moaning they told me to keep it and sent me the right one.The whole exercise took some weeks to complete mind you which threatened toput me off online purchases - saying that I'm now a platinum customer.I do find the alcohol a little slow but acknowledge that the 111C is really a base campstove rather than a light weight, travel friendly implement.I"m working on changing my mindset. The 111C has been one of my favorite toys for a long time now. I do like the fact the Trangia doesnt seem bothered by wind and in fact seems to prefer a bit of a breeze.